The cameras are being developed by tech company Netradyne. Amazon claims that these new cameras would improve safety of the drivers and the community.
This move is being met with skepticism. 22-year-old driver Henry Search of Washington state told Thomson Reuters Foundation said he felt this is an “invasion of privacy.”
We are out here working all day, trying our best already. The cameras are just another way to control us.
Henry Search
Other privacy advocates have warned that adding these AI cameras to the over 30,000 delivery vehicle fleet could set a dangerous precedent with regards to privacy.
This appears to be the largest expansion of corporate surveillance in human history. If this becomes the norm, we are talking about the extinction of human privacy.
Evan Greer, Deputy director of tech nonprofit Fight for the Future.
This technology will provide drivers real-time alerts to help them stay safe when they are on the road.
Company spokesman for Amazon in an email
In a instructional video, Karolina Haraldsdottir Amazon’s senior manager for last-mile safety, explained that these cameras will be recording 100% of the time, but do not have livestream capabilities.
The cameras will be there to monitor and detect safe driving, including when drivers appear to be drowsy or distracted, Haraldsdottir said. She explained that the footage could be used by the safety team to analyze footage for accidents or thefts.
The first thing they (Amazon) should do to improve safety would be not have such outrageous delivery quotas that force people into unsafe conditions.
Evan Greer
But a camera on my face all the time, I don’t see how that keeps me safe – it’s too much.
Anonymous driver from Massachusetts
This driver said that he was open to a camera displayed outside the vehicle. He explains that drivers are already ordered to download the app called Mentor that already monitors the locations and movements of the vehicle.
“Only a limited set of authorized people” will have access to the footage, said Haraldsdottir.
A Michigan driver, who wished to remain anonymous as well, also explained his concern that the footage could be shared with other companies and/or monitor their job performance.
The footage recorded could be shared with a future possible employer who can then decide to reject you before even knowing you.
This driver said he enjoys making deliveries but is also looking for other options as he does not want to be subjected to even more surveillance.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Big Brother is Watching You.
1984 by George Orwell
One of the things mentioned in the World Economic Forum’s future for the dystopian world in 2030, was the feeling knowing that the AI, the system, know more about you than you know yourself. There would be a sense of always being watched and surveyed. So it comes as now surprise that of the international mega corporations is installing the next piece of surveillance on its workers.
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The “safety and security” mantra is utterly revolting. When people want to finally wake up, it will be too late for them.